Background

In 2001 the Government of Chile initiated the Programme for Innovation and Technological Development, requiring the use of its cash resources implementing agencies should focus on some of the following four areas: Biotechnology, ICT, Cleaner technologies and Quality Management. Year 2002 the Presidency of the Republic, CONICYT instructed to seek solutions to the serious problem that affected that year the waters south of Puerto Montt caused by algal blooms, especially the red tide. These blooms have increased in frequency, duration, toxicity and coverage in our country and continue to cause great economic losses and social situations of conflict.

To meet both requirements CONICYT Fondef created in 2002, in conjunction with the IDF of CORFO, Currently Innova Chile CORFO, the Science and Technology applied to Red Tide, Program Marea Roja.

Problem

The phenomenon known as red tide has its origin in a natural and common event of aquatic ecosystems: microscopic algae blooms. These are characterized by an explosive increase in the amount of algae in very small. These organisms can cause a color change of the water, because they pose photosynthetic pigments of varying chemical composition, that give different colors microalgae. So, in some cases, the sea may become yellow, Pardo of rojizo. Most blooms are harmless and does not cause problems for other living things. But there are also adverse effects on other living things, including humans and their activities. These are called harmful.

The color change of the water depends on the increase in a given amount of microalgae and the coloring of the pigments. These give rise to various shades of sea surface, different from the usual, looking like “patches” near the coast. Sometimes the sea turns red, hence the people you call this red tide phenomenon.

As these organisms, microalgae, photosynthetic, blooms occur mainly in the spring-summer period (Region XII), by increasing the availability of sunlight and nutrients. However, in some places (X y XI regiones) also happen explosive growth in autumn.

Although most algae blooms pose no threat to marine life or land, unfortunately some are able to produce mortalities of aquatic organisms; or may even be fatal to man. A These are called harmful algal blooms (FAN).

Of the 4.000 microalgal species, only 70 you 80 are considered harmful. In Chile we have the two. Harmless along the coastline; and harmful in the regions of Los Lagos (X region), Aysen (XI region) and in the region of Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica (Region XII). Most of the toxic phytoplankton belongs to the group of dinoflagellates.

The harmful bloom that affects our country is related to the species called Alexandrium Catenella. This dinoflagellate produces Paralytic Shellfish Poison (VPM), extremely potent toxin. However, there are other toxins in our country, lesser extent, as Diarrhetic Shellfish Poison (VDM), present in the regions of Los Lagos and Aysen (X y XI regiones), and Amnesic Shellfish Poison (YOU) that occurs in northern Chile.

EFs are a major threat to aquaculture as they may cause loss of human life, closure of export markets, production loss and deterioration of the environment among others.

These harmful algal blooms (FAN) have experienced in the last decade a steady increase in its frequency, intensity and impact area, currently covering the coast between Castro, in the Inland Sea of ​​Chiloé, to the south of the Beagle Channel.

In the eleventh region, VPM persistence pays in recent years, has been closed artisanal fisheries and shellfish aquaculture, it has also led to the disappearance of both activities and a strong migration from the area.

Moreover, during the summer-autumn 2002 was observed for the first time an event FAN Chiloé area, which meant a strong social and economic impact directly affecting about a quarter of the total population of the island.

Addressing this issue of great complexity is fundamental to our country, where aquaculture has become a lever of development for the southern regions. Study the causes that generate it is a necessary condition for understanding, model, predict their occurrence and expansion, allowing the communities involved to take remedial measures as early harvest, detoxification, depuration, closed areas, etc.